Tree Research

To help local tree advocates make the case for trees in their communities, ACTrees has compiled Benefits of Trees and Urban Forests: A Research List. This research listing includes over 150 tree benefits and facts, ranging from the national to the hyper-local level, and all with complete scientific citations. This information tells the story of trees in dollars and cents, in pounds and percents, with compelling data about why maintaining and growing a healthy urban forest is a smart, sustainable investment. Learn more.

And check out other current research that may be of interest to those in the urban greening community. For a full list of research, visit the Research Archive.

Chicago, IL (July 9, 2015) — Are urban trees the fountain of youth? A team of researchers present a compelling case for why urban neighborhoods filled with trees enhance physical health. The large study builds on a body of prior research showing the cognitive and psychological benefits of nature, but goes further by actually beginning to quantify just how much an addition of trees in a neighborhood enhances health outcomes.(more…)

Stanford, CA (June 30, 2015) — A Stanford-led study finds quantifiable evidence that walking in nature could lead to a lower risk of depression. The researchers conclude that it is essential for urban planners and other policymakers to understand the relationship between exposure to nature and mental health.(more…)

Washington, DC (June 23, 2015) — A recent U.S. News article highlights how urban agriculture in the heart of several cities is proving the research on the value of community groves and farms. These initiatives are helping to improve the mental and physical health of residents and build safer communities.(more…)

Madison, WI (November 25, 2014) - If you’re looking for a bit of relief as summer heat spreads across U.S. cities, science is on it. A study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin in Madison offers one of the most detailed records of the variation in temperature between cities and the surrounding rural areas, known as the urban heat island effect.(more…)

Chapel Hill, NC (April 14, 2015) — Poor air quality is still a major issue affecting a large number of Americans. In new research, University of North Carolina researchers Nikhil Kaza and Josh McCarty describe how the way urban areas are built and landscaped can make a difference to local air quality.(more…)

Portland, OR (April 2015) — A new report investigates the interactions between household location decisions and community characteristics, including green space. Neighborhoods or communities that have well-managed green space programs are more attractive to residents, a two-way interaction that tends to be self-reinforcing.(more…)

Davis, CA (Fall 2014) — Climate change poses challenges for the Southwest, where an already parched region is expected to get hotter and, in its southern half, significantly drier. Increased heat and sustained drought will stress water sources and redefine urban landscapes. This research describes a 14-year evaluation of seven drought tolerant species. See which ones survived.(more…)

Hector, NY (May 11, 2015) — U.S. Forest Service research at the Finger Lakes National Forest (FLNF) is exploring whether native trees can restore a degraded stream corridor and whether degraded stream corridors can help one of those native trees – the American elm – stage a comeback.(more…)

Portland, OR (May 4, 2015) — Stress in trees is caused by disturbances such as fire, flood, disease, or insect infestations. A single stressor may not be enough to kill a tree, but a combination can be deadly. New research from the U.S. Forest Service identifies the role of ethanol in stressed tree tissues.(more…)

Manchester, UK (April 16, 2015) — Scientists at The University of Manchester have discovered a way to make trees grow bigger and faster, which could increase supplies of renewable resources and help trees cope with the effects of climate change.(more…)